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Maternal immune activation: Implications for neuropsychiatric disorders

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Estes, Myka L., McAllister, A. Kimberley·2016·Science

DOI 10.1126/science.aag3194PMC PMC5650490

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Abstract

Epidemiological evidence implicates maternal infection as a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Animal models corroborate this link and demonstrate that maternal immune activation (MIA) alone is sufficient to impart lifelong neuropathology and altered behaviors in offspring. This Review describes common principles revealed by these models, highlighting recent findings that strengthen their relevance for schizophrenia and autism and are starting to reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of MIA on offspring. The role of MIA as a primer for a much wider range of psychiatric and neurologic disorders is also discussed. Finally, the need for more research in this nascent field and the implications for identifying and developing new treatments for individuals at heightened risk for neuroimmune disorders are considered.

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Authors: Estes, M. L., & McAllister, A. K.
Affiliations: University of California, Davis (US)
Corresponding author: McAllister, A. Kimberley
ORCID: Estes, Myka L.
McAllister, A. Kimberley
Venue: Science
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Published: 2016-08-19
Volume: 353
Issue: 6301
Pages: 772-777
ISSN: 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
1095-9203
DOI: 10.1126/science.aag3194
PMC: PMC5650490
OpenAlex: W2515897135
Semantic Scholar: 70e346df06748a0e6435133309a1011e2a43f998
Cited by: 1,206
References: 86
Citations by year: 2026: 109 · 2025: 134 · 2024: 134 · 2023: 128 · 2022: 158 · 2021: 139 · 2020: 119 · 2019: 114 · 2018: 104 · 2017: 54 · 2016: 10
FWCI: 5.73
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Locations: Science (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01-NS060125-05)
National Institute of Mental Health (P50-MH106438-01)
Simons Foundation (321998)
University of California Davis Research Investments in Science and Engineering Program
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords: maternal immune activation, maternal infection, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, neuropsychiatric disorders, animal models, neuropathology, neuroimmunological diseases, molecular mechanisms, risk factors
MeSH terms: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adolescent, Animals, Brain, Child, Child, Preschool, Disease Models, Animal, Female, Humans, Immune System, Immune System Diseases, Mothers, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Infectious, Risk Factors, Schizophrenia, Gastrointestinal Tract, Young Adult

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Maternal immune activation: Implications for neuropsychiatric disorders

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